Serious issue with my four week blood test, help!

[Deck]

GENO 2 Solvaldi/Riba

Original viral load 4 million

after 4 weeks 2 million.

I'm seeing my Gastro on Monday but would like any information on what happens next.  If its bad just let me know, I can handle the news. 

Thanks Ryan

[Bucky]

GENO 2 Solvaldi/Riba

Original viral load 4 million

after 4 weeks 2 million.

I'm seeing my Gastro on Monday but would like any information on what happens next.  If its bad just let me know, I can handle the news. 

Thanks Ryan

Hello Ryan,
I can only make an observation since I am geno1a, used S&O and had a starting VL of 778,259. My IDS told me when I started treatment to not be concerned if I wasn't UD at the four week blood work because some were and some were not. Starting VL number did not really matter, it was VL EOT that mattered. You are on a well proven treatment and your VL dropped by half. I wouldn't get overly concerned at this point. Relax, eat well and get plenty of rest when you need it.
Do you have your ALT, AST, Billi numbers?
Bucky

[Deck]

AST- 19
ALT- 17
bilirubin- .5

Not sure what those numbers concern

[BattleTheBeast]

AST- 19
ALT- 17
bilirubin- .5

Not sure what those numbers concern

Wow Deck, those numbers are better than mine! Do what Bucky said, eat well, take care of yourself, rest and try to be positive. Keep the stress level down because if this treatment doesn't work we will get a newer better one!

Mel

[Bucky]

AST- 19
ALT- 17
bilirubin- .5

Not sure what those numbers concern

Better than mine as well. I saw my PCP for another reason 8 weeks post treatment and he ordered a liver panel  to check these numbers. Since mine had barely moved he felt like it was a good indicator that I was still UD and in fact that was the case at EOT.
Do you know your numbers before you started treatment ?
Bucky

[petra]

Hi Ryan,

I am genotype 2 also. I am just beginning my eighth week on Sovaldi and Ribavirin. I was still detectable at week 4. I panicked at first but I am ok now!
I am in a bit of a rush to get my day started here but if you search my posts [there are not that many] you can see the 2 responses to my concerns. There are not nearly as many type 2's to post their experiences as there are type 1's.

Cheers,
Petra

[petra]

Just have to say... we are not the only " still detected" at 4 weeks who go on to SRV. The panic that is caused by this info not being out there is unnecessary.

[lporterrn]

Petra - I would also add, "That panic is unnecessary." We humans panic because of things we fear may or may not be happening. The one thing I know is that even without an SVR, if the ALT/AST normalize, your liver is benefiting. Studies have shown this. I was a responder-relpaser after 48 weeks of PEG+rib and my liver bx went from stage 2 to stage 0 - I never regretted doing those 48 weeks.

[petra]

Thank you Lucinda,

 fear of the unknown is pretty much wasted energy. I've got to keep reminding myself of that in every aspect of my life, especially now that I am at an energy disadvantage due to the meds.

[CE]

Hi Ryan,
At 4weeks, my VL was 68, down from 950000. I expressed my concern about still being detected at 4 weeks (since all I have been reading about is people being UD at 4 weeks) and worried that I would not achieve SVR. The doctor's nurse said that is not true. On the older treatments that might have been relevant, but not on the new treatments. She said if your VL dropped and your LF's returned to normal, it was a very good indicator that you are responding. She said to not worry. She also said to eat well, plenty of green leafy vegetables, a good juicy steak (for your HG), and plenty of water. Good luck to you.
Chris